Ramgoolie indicted on first-degree murder charge

Saturday

Feb 2, 2008 at 12:01 AMFeb 2, 2008 at 12:08 AM

LOCAL AND WIRE REPORTS

OCALA — The Marion County grand jury indicted Rishi Abraham Ramgoolie, 22, of first-degree murder on Friday.
He has been held on a charge of first-degree murder in the death of his 5 1/2-month-old cousin Sanjana Muthra, since Jan. 25. She suffered multiple skull fractures, indicating that she had been struck more than once.
"All people involved in this case say that this is the worst injury they have ever seen ... it's horrific," said Rock Hooker, the assistant state attorney on Friday evening.
Ramgoolie will be arraigned on the indictment on Monday and will remain in the Marion County jail with no bond.
He is represented by a private attorney.
If found guilty — a process that could take one to two years or more — he can either get life in prison or the death penalty. "Only Brad King decides if we'll seek the death penalty." But "there's a lot to be considered," Hooker said.
He is being placed on Circuit Judge David Eddy's docket.

HICKSON, Tenn. — Rebecca Harden, 54, from Hickson, Tenn., died Friday in what appears to be a scuba diving accident, according to Sheriff's Office officials.
Harden was with a group scuba diving at 40 Fathom Grotto at 19487 N.W. 115th Ave. The group had gone down about 150 feet. As the group was coming to the surface, they would stop at different levels, approximately every 15 feet.
At one of the stages, according to officials, the instructor noticed that Harden was not with the group. He said he saw bubbles and descended to where she was, then brought her to the surface.
Following a call to 911, Marion County Fire Rescue responded to the scene. Harden was transported to Munroe Regional Medical Center. Rescuers performed CPR on her from the time they arrived on scene to the hospital, officials said.
Sheriff's detectives said Harden was pronounced dead at 2:40 p.m. The cause of death is unclear and the investigation is continuing. Officials collected the woman's gear, which is being examined as part of the investigation.

SILVER SPRINGS SHORES — An 89-year-old man grabbed a knife from a home invader Thursday and chased the man off, authorities said.
The Marion County Sheriff's Office searched with a helicopter, road patrol and canine units but couldn't find the man.
The struggle happened inside a house in the 6000 block of Bahia Road, which is in Silver Springs Shores.
Emery Demers told authorities the man knocked on his door and then forced his way into the home. Demers said the man threatened him with a large kitchen knife.
"Demers then grabbed the knife and began to struggle with the suspect, taking control of the weapon," a Sheriff's Office news release said. "The victim fled the residence heading east on Bahia Road."
A neighbor later told deputies he had seen a man pacing back and forth in front of the victim's house.
Anyone with any information about this incident can call the Sheriff's Office at 732-9111, or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP.